Corruption tribunal indicts Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael figures

Mahon is an indictment of politics in the 26 Counties in the 1990s, an era dominated by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour governments

THE MAHON TRIBUNAL into corrupt payments to
politicians in the planning process in Dublin in the 1990s has delivered its
verdict: a number of figures at the highest levels of the Establishment parties
and 11 councillors from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour are guilty of
corruption, lying or trying to undermine the investigation set up by the Dáil.

The Mahon Tribunal report is an indictment
of politics in the 26 Counties in the 1990s, an era dominated by Fianna Fáil,
Fine Gael and Labour governments. It said:

“Corruption in Irish political life was
both endemic and systemic. It affected every level of government, from some
holders of top ministerial offices to some local councillors, and its existence
was widely known and widely tolerated.”

Fianna Fáil Cabinet ministers were accused
by the Mahon Tribunal of a “sustained and virulent attack from a number of
senior Government ministers” on the tribubal and of trying to collapse it while
it was investigating Bertie Ahern. These ministers include current Fianna Fáil
leader Mícheál Martin, recently-resigned Fianna Fáil deputy leader Éamon Ó
Cuív, and former Fianna Fáil frontbench spokesperson and Defence Minister
Willie O’Dea.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD said:

“Mícheál Martin, who was a senior member of
Bertie Ahern’s Cabinet, and several of his Dáil colleagues have questions to
answer regarding their actions at that time.”

“Political corruption is not a victimless
crime,” Gerry Adams said. “The principal victims are Irish citizens who have
seen our economy destroyed by the property bubble that resulted from the
corrupt relationship between developers and politicians.

“The victims also include whole communities
moved into badly-built housing estates with few facilities as corrupt planning
allowed Dublin City expand in an appallingly ill-planned way while property
speculators and developers made big money.”

Jonathan O’Brien pointed to the
high-profile appearance of Fine Gael/Labour Party Taoiseach Enda Kenny with
businessman Denis O’Brien (who was criticised by the Moriarty Tribunal) when he
opened the New York Stock Exchange to mark St Patrick’s Day. He also noted that
there was a warm welcome for Bertie Ahern at the recent Fianna Fáil ard fheis
when many people were anticipating that the publication of the Mahon report
would find serious shortcomings in their ex-leader’s testimony. The Cork TD
said:

“Both these very recent incidents beg the
question: what has really changed?”